The Jim Stynes Achievement Scholarships will be awarded to young people who come from indigenous or disadvantaged backgrounds to help them achieve their education, community and sporting goals.

Stynes was well known for his AFL career, however off the football field he fought for a better life for thousands of young Australians.

With Australian film director Paul Currie, Stynes co-founded Reach, a not-for-profit organisation that provide national school and community-based programs to promote mental health and wellbeing in young people.

In support of Stynes’ work and Reach, the Federal Government has pledged to provide $3 million to establish the Jim Stynes Achievement Scholarships, while the AFL will provide an annual contribution of $150,000 for the next five years.

The scholarships will be administered by Reach and the AFL in partnership with the Government.